EXPLORERS
Writers & Contributors
Question: What is your ideal Island getaway?
Pie Rivera is s a self-confessed chocoholic even before the term was coined, and an advocate of responsible traveling. After 10 years of non-stop television productions she has embraced the call of taking trips, enjoying life’ s simple pleasures, indulging in gastronomic journeys and living in this epigram: live well, laugh often and eat to your heart’ s content.
A: My ideal island vacation in the Philippines is to be with my beau as we laze around, surrounded by the pristine white sand with a stunning sunset view, sipping a glass of mango mojito paired with hot-from-the-oven pepperoni pizza and worry about nothing at all.”
Steve De Neef is a freelance underwater, conservation and nature photographer from Belgium currently residing in the Philippines. He primarily focuses on photographing and writing about the underwater world and all ocean related issues in the hopes of creating more awareness for this fragile environment.
A: My ideal Island to kick back and relax must be Apo Island. It’ s turquoise waters full of colorful corals, the friendly kids playing on the beach and the laid back feel of the whole place always makes me smile.
Benjamin Layug, is a travel website developer( www. biyahero. net), an avid traveler in his spare time and an author of 3 travel books. His 4 th book, A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines, was launched at the Philippine International Bookfair. He loves playing billiards, bowling, hanging out with friends and the great outdoors.
A: I would much prefer neighboring Carabao Island in Romblon. It is much like Boracay 30 years ago, with its palm-fringed, powdery white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and blue skies but minus the maddening crowd, water pollution, garbage and the concrete jungle.
Elaine Abonal is a freelance writer, photographer, and English, French, and Spanish language instructor. Although she is born and raised in Manila, she was bitten by the travel bug at a very young age and has traveled to many places in the Philippines and around the world. She is also an adventurer at heart, specifically having a passion for being in the water.
A: My ideal island vacation is Siargao Island. It has everything that I want and need: nature and beautiful beaches for when I want to go outside, waves for surfing, and of course friends that I know I’ ll share a lot of memories with.
Jeck Simbulan Discovered Dumaguete by bike, dove in Moalboal with species of a different kind, had coffee with a national artist in Baguio to learn about the artist’ s legacy, and stayed in a plush resort and spa in Mactan, but was still able to return home to Laguna in one piece to his wife.
A: Rum coke and a sunset in Anilao, Batangas
Avee Tan enjoys hanging with the buds and traveling for free. She has a deep love for photography and dreams of working for National Geographic someday. During her spare time, she likes to play with her dog, and surf the net for the next travel adventures.
A: Spending a week in El Nido and just lying around the beautiful sands and traveling through the waters of Palawan that I only see and read about.
Want to be an Island Explorer?
The Republic of 7107 Magazine’ s contributors are passionate travelers with a love for Philippine culture, an advocate for sustainable tourism practices and a mind for island investments— any of these traits sound like you? Do you have a story to tell us? Then email editor @ 7107magazine. ph and add another destination in our map!
Designer & Illustrator
Paolo Yabao is a free-lance graphic designer. An alumni of UST College of Fine Arts & Design. Pao has been designing books, magazines for around ten years now. He loves to paint and write stories, loves music, anything Japanese and knows how to speak Nihongo. A frustrated cartographer & astronomer, he does stargazing in his spare-time with his binoculars.
A. Overnight camp at Baguio and stargaze with my telescope. I’ ll take time-lapse photos of the night sky till dawn while drinking Gilbey’ s Premium Strength Ginger beer.
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